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Retrospective: The Monster Magnet Story – Part 3:The Reinvention Years

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As we enter the third chapter of Monster Magnet’s saga, the focus shifts from mainstream success to reinvention and experimentation. After the turbulence of the 2000s, Dave Wyndorf and the band embrace new sonic directions, balancing cosmic psychedelia with hard rock energy, proving that Monster Magnet is far from finished.

Act VII – Mastermind and the Comeback (2008–2010)
 After 4-Way Diablo, Monster Magnet remained relatively quiet for a few years while Wyndorf continued his recovery. The next major step came in 2010 with Mastermind, widely regarded as the band's strongest material since Powertrip. The album brought back monumental riffs, massive psychedelic layers, and Wyndorf’s cosmic lyricism.

 

Tracks like “Bored with Sorcery” and “Gods and Punks” made it clear: the band was back in form. While the mainstream wasn’t as open as in the late ’90s, fans and critics alike welcomed the comeback. Tours regained energy, with a focus on European festivals and clubs, where Monster Magnet has always had a strong following.

Act VIII – Last Patrol and Creative Reimagining (2011–2015)
 The next milestone was Last Patrol (2013), a slower, heavier, and more atmospheric record full of long psychedelic journeys. The band partly returned to the early space rock vibe while keeping a modern sound.

During the Last Patrol tour, Wyndorf and the band started performing entire albums live, including Spine of God and Dopes to Infinity, which delighted nostalgic fans. (In 2014, they released Milking the Stars: A Re-Imagining of Last Patrol (an alternative, more experimental version of Last Patrol, with new arrangements and tempos), and in 2015, Cobras and Fire (The Mastermind Redux) (a reimagined, more psychedelic version of Mastermind). These special releases showed that Wyndorf still wasn’t afraid to take creative risks and expand the band’s legacy with new colors.)

Act IX – Mindfucker and Nostalgia Tours (2016–present)
In 2018 came Mindfucker, a rawer, hard rock-oriented album with energetic, straightforward riffs, moving away from the earlier cosmic atmospheres. The album paid homage to classic ’70s rock and gave new life to live performances.

In recent years, Monster Magnet has mostly been touring with anniversary sets, playing old albums in full. Wyndorf’s health stabilized, and while the pace is no longer as wild as in the ’90s, the band remains active, proving that after over three decades, they still have a place on the rock map.

In 2021, Monster Magnet released a covers album, A Better Dystopia, which received a mixed reception – since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting new MM material.

We hope you enjoyed this look into Monster Magnet’s history and that the article helped you better understand the band’s musical evolution, creative risks, and iconic moments. We’re planning more classic stories in the future. The first part of the story can be found here: https://stoner.blog.hu/2025/08/07/retrospective_the_monster_magnet_story_part_1_beginnings_and_rise, and the second part here:https://stoner.blog.hu/2025/08/12/retrospective_the_monster_magnet_story_part_2_from_space_lord_to_the_brink

This is Eugene Tooms – Hungarian Stoner Power Trio

The Budapest-based band Eugene Tooms was formed at the end of 2017, with members coming from other underground outfits such as Dűne, Red Swamp and Solidmen. As a trio, they quickly found their own path within the world of stoner and fuzz rock, blending influences from Clutch, Queens of the Stone Age and Red Fang into heavy riffs and powerful grooves. From their very first shows it was clear that they represent a strong force on the Hungarian scene.

 Their debut EP, The Whole Nine Yards, arrived in 2019 with six tracks that immediately showcased the band’s strength: raw yet catchy riffs, a strong rhythm section and varied dynamics. The reception was very positive, with many listeners praising the clean yet heavy sound and the prominent role of the bass guitar, which gave the record a distinctive character.

 Three years later, in 2022, they released their first full-length album, Exhale and Ride Along. Recorded and mixed by Péter Sohajda, the album marked a clear step forward: more mature, more deliberate, and more confident than the debut EP. By this time, Eugene Tooms had already proved on stage that they are a high-energy, audience-friendly live act, whether playing at festivals or in clubs. Their video for the track “Monuments” was shot in Tenerife, visually capturing the band’s atmosphere.

Eugene Tooms remain active today and continue to establish themselves as one of the most reliable forces in the Hungarian stoner rock scene. Their music both embraces the classic elements of the genre and adds a fresh drive, making them highly recommended for listeners just discovering stoner rock as well as longtime fans of the style.AMEN!

Thisiseugenetooms

Kyuss Tribute Album Incoming: Spaceship Landing

The Witching Buzz music platform is set to honor one of stoner rock’s greatest legends, Kyuss, with a brand-new compilation titled Spaceship Landing: A Tribute to Kyuss.

Scheduled for release on October 31, 2025, the album will feature bands from 21 different countries reimagining iconic Kyuss tracks. Known for pioneering the desert rock sound in the early ’90s, Kyuss remains one of the most influential forces in the genre. Spaceship Landing promises to be a worthy homage to their enduring legacy.

Full Tracklist:

  • Amammoth (Australia) – Son of a Bitch

  • Mörkekraft (Norway) – Writhe

  • Sonic Wolves (Italy) – Thumb

  • Rhino (Italy) – Green Machine

  • Gurnslinger (Jersey) – Molten Universe

  • Void Cruiser (Finland) – 50 Million Year Trip (Downside Up)

  • King Howl (Italy) – Freedom Run

  • Rainbow Bridge (Italy) – Apothecaries’ Weight

  • Fuzz Evil (USA) – Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop

  • 3 Wheeler Band (Mexico) – 100°

  • DoctoR DooM (France) – Space Cadet

  • Poste 942 (France) – Demon Cleaner

  • ISAAK (Italy) – Odyssey

  • Folwark (Italy) – Whitewater

  • Abel Blood (USA) – Caterpillar March

  • Epic Down (Germany) – Hurricane

  • Loose Sutures (Italy) – One Inch Man

  • Wet Cactus (Spain) – Phototropic

  • Wolfnaut (Norway) – El Rodeo

  • Mercure (France) – Size Queen

Cover art by Captain Maoos

More information and pre-order details will be available soon at witchingbuzz.ovh.

AMEN!

Slomosa - Tundra Rock (2025)

Stoner rock is often associated with deserts: slow tempos, down-tuned guitars, and psychedelic vibes evoke scorching heat and sandstorms. Bergen, however, on Norway’s west coast, is almost the opposite: cold, gray, and rainy. Yet the city boasts a vibrant rock and metal scene, and stoner rock thrives here too, exemplified by Slomosa, formed in 2017. Their self-titled debut came out in 2020, followed in 2024 by their second album, Tundra Rock.

 Tundra Rock features nine tracks rooted in stoner rock, infused with a psychedelic twist. The title may sound unusual, but in Norway, the “desert” can also mean the frozen tundras, where the slow-moving nature inspires the music’s tempo. Influences are clear from genre greats like Kyuss, but also from grunge legends like Soundgarden, especially on tracks like Cabin Fever. One standout is Red Thundra, where bassist Marie Moe takes some vocals, creating a dynamic interplay with Benjamin Berdous.

 

The album balances heavy riffs with melancholic atmospheres: Monoman and Rice deliver classic stoner rock power, while the piano-driven interlude Good Morning adds a peaceful moment before Battling Guns returns with a heavier, more melodic sound and personal, anti-war lyrics. Tundra Rock is a strong ambassador for stoner rock, capturing the Norwegian melancholic mood of Bergen while delivering energetic, heartfelt music that can easily stand alongside the genre’s big names.

Witchsnake - Satanas (2025)

Smoke coils out of the speakers, the air thick as molten tar. Satanas doesn’t ask if you’re ready—it simply engulfs you. Witchsnake’s new album is a dark ritual in itself: slow, crushing riffs that pull you along like the current of a demonic river. This isn’t background music. This is the night itself.

Across its tracks, Satanas blends biker doom swagger with occult heaviness, wrapped in fuzz-drenched tones that feel both dangerous and hypnotic. Each song unfolds like a ritual chant, drawing you deeper into a world where the riffs burn slow, the drums hit like war drums, and the shadows never lift.

Every moment of the album is meticulously crafted, the sound and rhythm merging to create a trance-like experience. Guitars seem cloaked in smoke, drums lead with a thundering pulse, and the vocals’ dark, menacing layers add a psychedelic depth. Satanas simultaneously attracts and repels the listener, like a magical circle you never want to leave.

This record isn’t just for stoner or doom fans; anyone who loves a heavy, mystical atmosphere will find their place here. Satanas is a journey not to be missed—dark, intense, and utterly captivating. Witchsnake’s new album stands as one of 2025’s most striking releases. AMEN!

RegainrecordsFB  WitchsnakeFB

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